The day I tried to kill myself: Snooker star and TV pundit Thorne relives darkest hour

Willie Thorne has written frankly about his suicide attempt in his new autobiography, Taking A Punt on My Life.

One of the most recognisable men in snooker attempted to take his life nine years ago after being crippled by a gambling addiction and mounting depression.

'I saw it as my big get-out, a way of shedding all responsibilities for my actions with no comebacks. I'd had enough,' he revealed in the book serialised by the Daily Mirror.

Legend: Willie Thorne is one of the most recognisable players in snooker's history, but he battled a gambling addiction and depression throughout his career

'On that day in March 2002, a few days after my 48th birthday, I'd had enough. The fight had gone out of me and I couldn't see a way out.'

Thorne overdosed on prescribed sleeping pills in March 2002, but was revived in Leicester Royal Infirmaryafter being found unconscious by his 11-year-old step-son, James.

'If James hadn't made that call it's quite likely it's quite likely I would have never opened my eyes again,' he writes.

'It was a terrible thing to do. I was taking the easy way out and leaving her (wife Jill) to to mop up the mess I had created.'

Guilt: Willie Thorne, pictured with his wife Jill, has discussed his suicide attempt in 2002 in his new autobiography

Thorne admits that he has suffered from depression all his life, but it was his addiction to gambling that tipped him over the edge.

'I felt trapped by the financial problems I had, the mounting debts which I just couldn't seem to conquer.

'Gambling had been my addicition for many years. I squandered hundreds of thousands of pounds in an attempt to beat the bookies, stay ahead of the game.'

Thorne was able to fund his addiction while he was playing professionally, but it was when he retired that his problems began to mount.

The boom years: Thorne (left) with Chas and Dave and other top players in 1986

'When it came to gambling, my logic had been pushed firmly to one side. It had started as a fun activity as a youngster and, during the boom years of snooker, what I earned as a professional allowed me to fund my addiciton without having to worry about the financial implications.'

Since recovering from his gambling problems Thorne has rebuilt his life. He is still happily married to Jill and has established himself as the new voice of the BBC's snooker commentary.

Thorne, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2007, admitted: 'I carry the guilt of having caused so much pain and anguish to those who were closest to me.'